The mixture of Method 1 returning to Shanghai for the primary time since 2019, and this weekend’s Chinese language Grand Prix marking the primary Dash Race of the 2024 marketing campaign, is posing some distinctive circumstances for the groups to beat.
It’s a set of “fascinating challenges” which Williams is trying ahead to.
It has been a troublesome few weeks for Williams, who completed a shocking seventh place within the Constructors’ Championship a season in the past. Alexander Albon’s follow shunt forward of the Australian Grand Prix — and the group’s lack of a backup chassis — noticed Logan Sargeant sidelined for the race itself as Albon slid into his FW46. There have been extra issues forward of the Japanese Grand Prix, when it was Sargeant who crashed in FP1.
Whereas the group was in a position to get the automobile prepared for the race, these had been once more nervy instances for the group, who arrived at Suzuka once more with out a backup chassis.
That’s the case once more this week, including another set of difficulties the group faces because the grid comes again to China.
“Coming again to Shanghai for the primary Dash competitors of 2024 is an enchanting problem. The circuit retains its wonderful mixture of corners in addition to the very lengthy again straight. The structure is demanding for the drivers, vehicles and [tires] with the opening cornering advanced of T1/2/3 being a difficult begin to the lap. The quick T7/8 mixture continues to work the [tires] forward of the slower part which in the end results in the again straight,” mentioned Dave Robson, the group’s Head of Car Efficiency, within the group’s media preview.
“Tackling this circuit for the primary time since 2019 and having solely a single follow session forward of the Dash classes gained’t be straightforward, nevertheless it is a chance that we relish,” added Robson. “For 2024, the laws for the Dash competitions have been up to date and we’ll look to make use of these updates to get essentially the most out of FW46 all through the aggressive classes.”
Along with the work the group carried out to get each vehicles prepared for China, Williams shall be bringing some upgrades to Shanghai Worldwide Circuit as they appear to open their account for the 2024 marketing campaign.
“Preparations for the weekend have gone nicely with each drivers finishing productive work within the simulator and the complete group working laborious to replenish our inventory of components. Regardless of the continuing work to get well from current attrition, we’ve got additionally been in a position to convey an aerodynamic replace to this occasion,” outlined Robson. “Alex will run with a revised HALO fairing and each vehicles will use the brand new entrance wing that we launched in Japan.”
For Sargeant, this shall be his first Chinese language Grand Prix.
Which implies a number of hours logged on the simulator to organize.
“I’m excited to be racing in China for the primary time. I’ve been on the simulator again at Grove between races to familiarize yourself with the observe. Because it’s the primary Dash weekend of the season, we’re very restricted on working earlier than we get underway with Dash Qualifying,” mentioned Sargeant. “Like everybody else, we have to take advantage of the one-hour follow session to know the circuit and set-up the automobile the very best we are able to. I’m certain the weekend will present alternatives with it being a Dash, so we simply must put ourselves in the best place to take them.”
As for Albon — who unveiled an unimaginable panda-themed helmet for this weekend — Shanghai could also be a observe he has seen earlier than, however the lengthy hole between races on the observe means getting on top of things shortly.
“While it’s been a troublesome few weeks for the group, everybody has been working tirelessly on the manufacturing facility to get us again up and prepared for China, so I’m immensely grateful for his or her laborious work.
“Trying ahead, we head to China for the primary Dash occasion of the season and to a circuit many people haven’t pushed at in over 5 years, and for Logan, it is going to be the primary time. In preparation, we’ve each been busy within the simulator, working laborious to higher perceive how the automobile would possibly carry out across the circuit, with a difficult first sector in addition to one of many longest straights on the calendar,” continued Albon. “Being a Dash weekend with restricted follow classes, we’ll put our give attention to making the most of the format and attempt to capitalise on this restricted working.”
